🎩 Hey Steinbach! I’m kicking off the Steinbach Tribute Series at the Southeast Event Centre in exactly 1 week on June 27th, and I’m bringing a show that redefines magic.
On Sunday, July 20 at 1 PM, Michael Close is hosting a special auction at Browser’s Den of Magic—and you're invited! He’s clearing out parts of his personal collection, and it’s full of rare and unique magic treasures.
Expect laughs, stories, surprises, and the chance to score some amazing finds. Whether you're a collector or just curious, it’s going to be a fun and relaxed afternoon with a bit of magic in the air.
I will be performing my FIRST EVER FULL SHOW IN MONTREAL at the end of the month on June 29th! Come see a mixed bag of old material (including effects from my Fringe show Arts & Crafts for Grown-Ups) as well as new favourites, none of which have been performed in Montreal before!
A quick reminder of our earlier Mail as Medicine request for Katie Hunt. If you have the time, Katie and Doug would both benefit from hearing from their friends!
I’ve been getting a lot of messages from @celebritycruises cruise guests wanting to know if I have my 2026 schedule yet. I am happy to announce that it’s now in and confirmed. See the image for my dates and ships for 2026 and take a screenshot of it. The November/December 2026 ships are not yet confirmed. As soon as I get those I will post. I continue to be on the Celebrity Beyond for the rest of 2025. Search earlier in my socials for those dates.
This was our second trip to this location. Just over a year ago we
saw Alex McAleer - Mind Reader in this space. (If you were at the McAleer show, please note
that you need to use the West entrance for The Enigmatist.)
The performance space is one flight of stairs up from the main level.
Contact the venue if you require accommodations.
The show is about two hours long, with one 15 minute intermission.
While there is nothing inappropriate for young children in the show, this is
not a show designed for young children. The
Starvox website states
"The show is appropriate for children aged 6+." However, we're not
sure that Kidlet would have enjoyed it much before the age of 8.
"Hearts" ticket holders have general admission seats closest to the
stage. The seats are all on the floor. "Spades" and "Clubs"
ticket holders are on risers in the back half of the house.
Plan to arrive early. There is a preshow activity in The Puzzle
Garden. From the
Starvox website: "The doors to the bar/lounge will open 60 minutes before curtain.
"The
Puzzle Garden will open 60 minutes before curtain for Hearts ticket holders,
and 30 minutes before the show for Spades and Clubs ticket holders.
"We
recommend that you arrive early to solve the four puzzle walls, which will
be located in the lobby area. Please plan to spend 20 to 30 minutes (in
total) solving the puzzles before taking your seat inside.
While not mandatory to gain entry to the performance, completing the
puzzles will enhance your overall experience of the show." [Emphasis added.]
There is time to complete unfinished puzzles during the intermission.
Puzzle tip: Some of the puzzles have a poster with important reference
information on it. Use your phone to take a photo of the
poster. Then you can review the details without blocking others from seeing the clues.
The performance space is
intimate. Due to the general admission seating, arrive early if you
wish to sit close to the stage.
There are so many dimensions to the show, it's hard to know where to
start!
We were a little nervous about attending. The promotional material mentions of "brain twisting riddles," "cracking
ciphers," and "puzzle solving" were somewhat intimidating. (This did not
sound like an evening of passive entertainment.)
All our worries were for naught!
Yes, there are plenty of activities where the entire audience can rise to
the challenge and participate!
No, you don't have to participate if you don't want to. (But we're
pretty sure you'll want to.)
Puzzle solvers were consistently celebrated!
Right off the bat, as David mentioned
in his interview with us, a young audience member solved the first puzzle before any of the adults!
David treated everyone with the utmost respect.
He is incredibly knowledgeable, has a fantastic memory, and
demonstrates impressive sleight of hand.
It is very clear that David, when designing his show, took to heart Will Shortz's quote "... a good puzzle makes the solver feel smart." The show is carefully constructed in the same fashion.
David never made the audience
feel "less than" in any way.
The show is highly interactive. We counted around thirty volunteers
in addition to multiple whole audience participation opportunities. The majority of
the time, people were able to volunteer from their seats.
This is legitimately the first time we've seen (heard?) Tom Lehrer
invoked in a magic show. We approve! (Doubly so given the subject matter and the method of delivery.)
David has an engaging stage presence, well-honed audience management
skills, and excellent technical abilities! (As evidenced by a few perfect Faros, a one-handed rotational pivot
cut, and some card lovely manipulation.)
The Enigmatist is magic, inside a puzzle, wrapped in
pure entertainment!*
* With apologies to Sir Winston Churchill
The show has a solid throughline, inspired by historical figures and events,
providing an intriguing narrative.
It is clear to the magicians in the audience, that a extraordinary amount of thought, planning, and attention to detail went into this show. (Pay close
attention. There are a surprising number of callbacks in the second
half!)
With few exceptions, the "magic" done in the show is presented in a very
customized way, obfuscating the "trick" part of the performance while
highlighting the awe and wonder of the presentation. David's use of surrogates for traditional magic props, gives the show a unique and truly personal feel.
We tried desperately to keep up while David created an impromptu crossword puzzle. At some point we just gave in and let his spectacular vocabulary and puzzle building expertise wash over us. (And he incorporated a word we shouted out!) It was absolutely amazing to witness in real time!
The Enigmatist is a masterclass in using magic principles as a tools to create entertainment in delightfully novel
ways!
Disclosure: KOP and I were guests at this show. The opinions
expressed above are entirely our own. We did not receive compensation for
the writing or the publishing of this article.
With thanks to Erica Feeand Starvox Entertainment for the tickets.
🎉Something new is launching at the International Brotherhood of Magicians! . We’re thrilled to announce our brand-new Virtual Lecture Series – bringing top magicians and fresh ideas right to your screen. . First up? The incredibly inventive Ryan Pilling!
Jeff Hinchliffe has been a mainstay in the Toronto magic scene for over two decades. He was a counselor at the Sorcerer's Safari Magic Camp, he worked behind the counter of Browser's Den, and was the inaugural recipient of the Len Cooper Memorial award. Now he's a full-time pro with his own successful one-man show. Not a bad resume. On top of being an exceptional sleight-of-hand magician, and expert at the memorized deck, a charming performer, he's also created some pretty damn good magic.
It's been over ten years since we've had Jeff in Montreal, so we're bringing him back for a brand new lecture and show (more details on the show soon).
Stepping Into the Impossible Magic Show When: Wednesday June 18 Where: The Comedy Nest
For almost his entire life, Jeff Hinchliffe has been captivated by the art of magic. His journey began with a single pack of cards, a purchase that unexpectedly set the stage for a life dedicated to wonder. From the hushed tables of magic shops and the camaraderie of magic clubs, to the immersive experience of magic camp, Jeff's passion has led him to perform and learn in a diverse array of settings.
We're delighted to interview David leading up to the Canadian premiere of his show The Enigmatist which runs from June 10th to 22nd at the Lighthouse ArtSpace in Toronto. For tickets
and more information visit Starvox Entertainment.
What is your first memory of magic?
Like every magician, I have these indelible moments from when I was a kid.
For me, the most impactful was when I was about seven years old and saw a
magician performing at a pumpkin patch. He performed the sponge ball trick,
which blew my mind, of course. But what happened next would change my life
forever. He did the trick to my dad. Now my father is a biochemist, and
still is the smartest person in the world to me. So when he opened up his
hand and suddenly had two sponge balls, I turned to this omniscient figure
and asked him how the trick worked. My dad flashed me a sheepish grin and
said, “I have no idea." And that’s when I knew I wanted to be a magician!
And this moment continues to inform my work. I recently released a kids book
of magic tricks,
How to Fool Your Parents. It’s a book dedicated to
smart, brainy, kids. I’m basically channeling my seven year-old self!
Who inspires you that is not a magician?
Will Shortz, the puzzle editor of the New York Times. He’s
been a wonderful mentor and friend since I first met him as a teenager.
Will has brought smart and accessible puzzles into the homes of millions
and millions of people. He always says that a good puzzle makes the solver
feel smart. I try to channel this in every puzzle I create and show that I
perform.
"... a good puzzle makes the solver feel smart." -- Will Shortz
David Kwong, The Enigmatist Photo credit: Yann Rabanier
Do you have any tour or pre-show rituals you’d be willing to share with
our readers?
The mental gymnastics that I perform in the show require a great deal of
memory. So I get to the theater early and I practice with flashcards in my
dressing room. I usually solve a crossword puzzle or two as well, you
gotta get my brain going and I actually find it relaxing!
David Kwong Photo credit: Justin Barbin
What can your audiences expect to see during The Enigmatist?
The Enigmatist is an evening of magic, puzzles, and cryptography
(codebreaking). There are brainy magic tricks, and a box that the audience
must collectively unlock to reveal the mysteries inside. I also regale the
audience with the story of America's first codebreakers. Also, the puzzles
start right away! Audiences are encouraged to come early to the show where
they have the option of solving puzzles in the lobby. This is called the
Puzzle Garden and ties into the show!
Thank you David, for making the time to answer our questions!
